January 3, 2019

Chosen

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” – John 15:16

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

– 1 Peter 2:9

Have you ever been rejected? Most of us have. It hurts, doesn’t it?

All of us want to be accepted for who we are. We want to be enough. We want to be part of the “in” crowd, whatever stage of life we happen to be in. It doesn’t really matter if it’s work, church, neighborhood, service organization or social group. We want to feel welcomed and valued. Sadly, that doesn’t always happen.

Even when the majority like us, there’s always going to be someone who just doesn’t want us around. There’s always going to be that person who criticizes everything we say or do. We know it’s not about us. It’s about them. But it stings just the same.

Unfortunately, sometimes that sting hits where it hurts us the most. Have you ever been rejected by your spouse? Affairs happen every day but the betrayal cuts deep into the most vulnerable parts of us. The same is true when we are rejected by parents, children, even our employer. It threatens our stability, our belief in who we are.

Fortunately, we don’t ever have to worry about being rejected by Jesus. We don’t have to clean ourselves up. We don’t have to pretend we’re someone we’re not. We don’t have to be brilliant or beautiful or have it all together. All we have to do is show up and He meets us with open arms right where we are. How amazing is that?!

Jesus tells us that He chose us. Jesus picked us to be on His team. He wanted us. He values us. We are part of His family. That’s something that still just amazes me. No matter how many times we’ve faced rejection, we are gathered close and welcomed by the only One who matters.

We are people of the light. We are called to service. We are called to honor Him with our lives. We are set apart. We are His. Don’t ever lose sight of that.

Life hurts sometimes. People don’t always like us. People don’t always include us. But we have a Heavenly Father who loved us enough to send His Son to die so that we could live with Him forever. Let yourself be filled with His Spirit. Let His peace soothe your vulnerable places.

You are chosen. You are loved. You are welcomed just as you are.